Breakdown of Eu estou pronto para ir ao cinema.
eu
I
ir
to go
estar
to be
para
to
o cinema
the cinema
pronto
ready
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Questions & Answers about Eu estou pronto para ir ao cinema.
Why does the sentence begin with the subject pronoun Eu even though Portuguese often drops it?
In Portuguese, the subject pronoun is frequently omitted because the verb conjugation already indicates the subject. However, Eu (meaning I) is included here to add clarity or emphasis, ensuring that the speaker is clearly identified.
Why is the verb estou used instead of sou in this sentence?
Portuguese distinguishes between temporary states and permanent characteristics. Estou is the first-person singular form of estar, which is used to indicate a temporary state—here, the speaker is currently ready. In contrast, ser (with the form sou) is used for inherent or permanent qualities.
What does the adjective pronto mean in this context, and why is it paired with estou?
Pronto translates to ready. When paired with estou, it indicates that the speaker is in a current state of preparedness. This combination emphasizes a temporary condition of being ready to undertake the action mentioned later in the sentence.
What is the function of the preposition para before the infinitive ir?
The preposition para is used to introduce the purpose or intent behind the readiness. In the phrase para ir, para means "to" and it indicates that the action the speaker is ready for is to go—in this case, to go to the cinema.
How is the contraction ao in ao cinema formed, and what does it signify?
Ao is a contraction of the preposition a (meaning to) and the masculine definite article o (meaning the). Together, they form ao, which, when combined with cinema, translates to to the cinema. This contraction is typical in Portuguese whenever a directly precedes a masculine singular noun.
Can the adjective pronto be replaced with another word to express the same idea?
Yes, the sentence could alternatively use preparado to mean ready. For example, Eu estou preparado para ir ao cinema conveys the same idea, though preparado might suggest a slightly different nuance regarding the type or level of readiness.